Physiological Hygiene. In infancy, keep the special organs clean as directed in Chapter VI. Consult a physician regarding the advisability of circumcision; this is needed in about twenty per cent. of boys, and is often advisable in others; it is sometimes required in girls.
Take special care that clothing is not rough, tight, or irritating about the genitals; therefore avoid (a) underdrawers with more than one-quarter wool; some children with sensitive skin should have even these lined with thin cotton gauze; (b) drawers cut too short or shallow in the seat (a defect in some ready-made styles); (c) trousers too short or tight or with rough seams; (d) suspenders too short, that pull the trousers too tight; trousers during first six years should not have opening in front.
With young children, watch for any local irritation or discharge. For the former, use local applications of boric solution as a wash, followed by a starch powder or zinc ointment. Discover the cause; it may be rough or damp clothing, intestinal worms, acid urine due to excess of sugar or meat in the diet, or to insufficient drinking water. Alkaline diet, or a pinch of soda in the drinking water for a few days, will help to counteract the acidity. As the child grows older, beyond six years, encourage him to report to you any irritation, and teach him how he should relieve it.
If a discharge appears, of mucous, whitish, or greenish matter, report the matter immediately to the physician, and take every precaution against infection; use a local wash of boric acid, double strength, cleanse the hands with antiseptic solution, sterilize the child’s wash cloths, towels, underdrawers, and bedding, and let him have his separate wash basin, chamber, and bath until the physician gives assurance of no contagious disease.
Teach the child to always wash the hands after going to the toilet. See that the hands are outside the bed covers at night; they may be folded under the cheek, or the child may have a doll or toy animal to hold. Be watchful, but do not let the child ever surmise that you mistrust, suspect, or even watch him in these matters.
Avoid soft beds and especially feather beds, which are enervating and are overheating to the spinal nerves.
Teach children never to use a public drinking cup or towel; and never to sit on a public toilet, even in public school, without first laying a paper over it so they do not come directly in contact with the seat.
Avoid stimulating foods, such as condiments, or an excess of meat—more than 2 or 3 ounces a day.
Avoid excitement by late hours, especially late dancing parties, during adolescence. Set a standard of ten o’clock closing for school or home dances for these young people. Teach them to find recreation not dissipation.
Psychological. Cultivate respect for the body and reverence for its creative work and organs, for motherhood, fatherhood, and birth of any creature.